immersionlog
Sign inCreate account

すかさず

instantly, without missing a beat

すかさず + Verb

Sign up free to review this point on a spaced schedule.

すかさず means reacting the instant an opportunity appears, without leaving a gap: 質問されると、彼はすかさず答えた, "when asked, he answered without missing a beat".

It literally means "without leaving a gap" (透かさず). The action is quick, alert and often clever: a sharp reply, a counter-attack, grabbing a free seat, or a comeback to a joke.

It's more vivid than すぐ or すぐに, which are just "immediately". すかさず implies you were watching for the moment and seized it.

It's used about people's reactions, not about events. You can't say 雨がすかさず降った. It's common in sports commentary, stories and descriptions of conversations.

Examples

  • 質問しつもんされると、彼かれはすかさず答こたえた。

    When asked, he answered without missing a beat.

  • 相手あいてがミスをした瞬間しゅんかん、すかさず攻せめた。

    The moment the opponent slipped up, we attacked.

  • 前まえの人ひとが席せきを立たつと、すかさず別べつの客きゃくが座すわった。

    As soon as the person in front got up, another customer grabbed the seat.

  • 冗談じょうだんを言いったら、すかさずつっこまれた。

    When I made a joke, someone came straight back at me.

  • チャンスと見みて、すかさず手てを挙あげた。

    Seeing my chance, I put my hand up at once.